A's outfielder Yoenis Céspedes says that when his legal dispute with his former agent is finally resolved, "I will feel a lot better. I will play a lot better."

Photo: Beck Diefenbach, Special To The Chronicle

A's outfielder Yoenis Céspedes says that when his legal dispute...

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Kurt Jourdan (left), of West Sacramento, and his wife Christy (right) take photos of their son Hal,11, in front of the locker Oakland Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cspedes at the A's Fanfest at the Oracle Arena on Sunday, January 27, 2013 in Oakland, Calif.

Much of last year, but especially in the final few weeks of the season and during the playoffs, Yoenis Céspedes was playing with a large weight on his shoulders.

Off the field, he looked troubled. He did not address the media for several weeks - "too upset," one person close to him said - and he sat slumped at his locker after games.

Céspedes' worries stemmed from his legal issues, involving money that a former agent claims he is owed. Céspedes became increasingly concerned about the legal standing, and more important, the safety of his family members in the Dominican Republic, including his mother, aunt and three cousins. Like him, all are Cuban defectors, and he hopes to bring them to the United States at some point.

"I wasn't that worried about me, but I was very concerned about my family in the Dominican," Céspedes told The Chronicle on Sunday. "I was worried a lot about them being there in that country.

"Once this situation is resolved, I will feel a lot better. I will play a lot better."

Next month, Céspedes will have a hearing in the Dominican to resolve his legal dispute with former agent Edgar Mercedes, who helped Céspedes and his family get established after their flight from Cuba. Céspedes said that Mercedes no longer is affiliated with him; Mercedes has claimed that Céspedes owes him 17 percent of his contract, including last year's $5 million signing bonus, for services rendered in the Dominican.

Céspedes is in much better spirits now - for one thing, his mother now resides in the Turks and Caicos Islands. And Céspedes is particularly encouraged by a recent change in Cuban law that will allow citizens who leave the island to return. He hopes that will allow his 3-year-old son, Yoenis Jr., to visit; Céspedes speaks to his son by phone often, but he has not seen him since fleeing Cuba.

"Maybe," he said in English, flashing a big smile.

"When you think about all the things he had to deal with, new country, new brand of baseball, a couple of legal issues and not having his family around, he's one of the toughest guys around," manager Bob Melvin said. "But we still want this to get resolved so he can put it aside."

Céspedes certainly attacked the offseason with a vengeance - he worked out so hard that he said he could put out another workout video. One new thing he has incorporated: stretching. Céspedes began doing more and more flexibility work last season, and he focused on it during the winter with an eye toward staying injury-free this year. Another thing that should help: He will have a full spring training with the A's, unlike last year's abbreviated camp after signing late.

General manager Billy Beane said that the sky is the limit for Céspedes, as long as he's on the field.

"His talent is pretty scary," Beane said. "I'm not sure I've ever seen a player improve at the rate he did last year. It wouldn't surprise me to see him take it to a higher level this year."